February is Black History Month, a celebration of achievements by Black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. History. It is also a time to reflect on the important work we all must keep doing to achieve equity and social justice.
We have assembled a shortlist of resources and opportunities to participate in throughout Black History Month (and beyond) and we hope you find these valuable as we work together in continued education and conversation.
We have assembled a shortlist of resources and opportunities to participate in throughout Black History Month (and beyond) and we hope you find these valuable as we work together in continued education and conversation.
EVENTS
(Registration may be required, click links to learn more)
Celebrating Black STEAM (ages 8-12)
Cincinnati Public Library - Westwood
Thursday, February 9
4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
Under One Roof: The African American Experience in Music Hall (family friendly)
Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses
Thursday, February 9
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Gallery Chat: Black Art History
Saturday, February 11
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Cincinnati Art Museum
HBCU Youth-led Roundtable 2023 (suitable for teens)
Cincinnati Public Library - Walnut Hills
Saturday, February 11
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Roots (suitable for children and teens)
Cincinnati Public Library - College Hill
Tuesday, February 14
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Cincinnati Green Book Sites (family friendly)
Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses
Thursday, February 16
5:00 PM – 6:15 PM
Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting presented by the Cincinnati Black Theatre Company
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
February 17 – 19
Fight the Power: How Hip-Hop Changed the World (family friendly)
Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses
Thursday, February 23
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Black Girl Hair Affirmations with Lakesia Brown (children)
Cincinnati Public Library - Avondale
Saturday, February 25
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
The Underground Railroad: Its History, People, & Glory
Cincinnati Public Library - Anderson
Monday, February 27
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Celebrating Black STEAM (ages 8-12)
Cincinnati Public Library - Westwood
Thursday, February 9
4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
Under One Roof: The African American Experience in Music Hall (family friendly)
Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses
Thursday, February 9
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Gallery Chat: Black Art History
Saturday, February 11
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Cincinnati Art Museum
HBCU Youth-led Roundtable 2023 (suitable for teens)
Cincinnati Public Library - Walnut Hills
Saturday, February 11
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Roots (suitable for children and teens)
Cincinnati Public Library - College Hill
Tuesday, February 14
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Cincinnati Green Book Sites (family friendly)
Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses
Thursday, February 16
5:00 PM – 6:15 PM
Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting presented by the Cincinnati Black Theatre Company
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
February 17 – 19
Fight the Power: How Hip-Hop Changed the World (family friendly)
Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses
Thursday, February 23
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Black Girl Hair Affirmations with Lakesia Brown (children)
Cincinnati Public Library - Avondale
Saturday, February 25
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
The Underground Railroad: Its History, People, & Glory
Cincinnati Public Library - Anderson
Monday, February 27
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
MUSEUMS/EXHIBITS
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Memories & Inspiration: The Kerry and C. Betty Davis Collection of African American
Taft Museum of Art (Downtown)
Memories & Inspiration: The Kerry and C. Betty Davis Collection of African American
Taft Museum of Art (Downtown)
MOVIES SUITABLE FOR KIDS
*Always make sure your choice is parent/guardian approved .
March on! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World
This Scholastic Storybook movie focuses on Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks and the bus boycott. It includes narrations of children’s books about the Civil Rights Movement and different events in African American history.
The Journey of Henry Box Brown
This animated short film tells the true story of a slave who shipped himself to freedom in a crate. Brown tells his story to a bird and other animals to help them understand the concept of freedom. He discusses the harsh conditions of slavery and the idea that no one is free unless everyone is free in a way that young children can understand.
Garrett’s Gift
Garrett’s Gift tells the story of African American inventor Garrett Morgan. Garrett had many patents and inventions from hair products to traffic lights and gas masks. The story narrated by Queen Latifah teaches viewers that everyone is born with a special gift and that it is important to give that gift back to the world. Features illustrations by Coretta Scott Kings and Gregory Christie and music by Coati Mundi of Kids Creole and the Coconuts.
Dancing in the Light: The Janet Collins Story
This animated short tells the story of Janet Collins the first African American ballerina to perform at the Metropolitan Opera House. This short movie discusses racism as Janet was asked to paint her face white to blend in with the other dances. It is a great short movie and easy for young children to understand.
Hair Love
This Oscar-winning animated short film features a Black father who has to do his daughter’s hair for the first time — and, in essence, teaches the daughter to love her hair and herself. It’s narrated by Blue Ivy Carter (Beyoncé’s eldest daughter) and features Issa Rae as the voice of the mother.
March on! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World
This Scholastic Storybook movie focuses on Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks and the bus boycott. It includes narrations of children’s books about the Civil Rights Movement and different events in African American history.
The Journey of Henry Box Brown
This animated short film tells the true story of a slave who shipped himself to freedom in a crate. Brown tells his story to a bird and other animals to help them understand the concept of freedom. He discusses the harsh conditions of slavery and the idea that no one is free unless everyone is free in a way that young children can understand.
Garrett’s Gift
Garrett’s Gift tells the story of African American inventor Garrett Morgan. Garrett had many patents and inventions from hair products to traffic lights and gas masks. The story narrated by Queen Latifah teaches viewers that everyone is born with a special gift and that it is important to give that gift back to the world. Features illustrations by Coretta Scott Kings and Gregory Christie and music by Coati Mundi of Kids Creole and the Coconuts.
Dancing in the Light: The Janet Collins Story
This animated short tells the story of Janet Collins the first African American ballerina to perform at the Metropolitan Opera House. This short movie discusses racism as Janet was asked to paint her face white to blend in with the other dances. It is a great short movie and easy for young children to understand.
Hair Love
This Oscar-winning animated short film features a Black father who has to do his daughter’s hair for the first time — and, in essence, teaches the daughter to love her hair and herself. It’s narrated by Blue Ivy Carter (Beyoncé’s eldest daughter) and features Issa Rae as the voice of the mother.
MOVIES SUITABLE FOR TEENS
*Always make sure your choice is parent/guardian approved
Hidden Figures
Hidden Figures is based on a true story of three African American women who made very important contributions to NASA during the ’50s and ’60s that helped launch a space flight program.
Ruby Bridges
Ruby Bridges is a movie about pride and courage and is great to watch with the whole family. This Disney movie is based on a true story about a 6-year-old girl named Ruby who was chosen to be the 1st African American girl to be integrated into an all-white school in 1960s New Orleans. Ruby faces racism but she shows bravery by continuing to go to school to get a better education.
Remember the Titans
This inspirational movie tells the true story of a newly integrated high school football team in Alexandria, Virginia. The film shows racial tensions and segregation in the town. The team must learn how to get along and work and play together as a team.
42
42 is the story about Jackie Robinson. The first African American Major League Baseball player in the 20th century. In the movie, you will see how he broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball
Selma
Selma is a historical drama taking place in 1965 when black people were still fighting for the right to vote. Despite opposition, Dr. Martin Luther King, Hosea Williams and John Lewis led voter marches directed by James Bevel. It focuses on the march from Selma to Montgomery and their efforts in having President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Pride
Pride is an inspirational sports movie that tells the story of the only African American swim team in 1960’s North Carolina. It shows how the African American team dealt with racism head-on. This is a great movie for middle school and high school students.
Harriet
Harriet follows the story of a girl from an enslaved family who was promised freedom that she and her family never get. Therefore, Harriet decides to escape, a plan that will change the course of history and transform her into one of America’s greatest heroes.
Hidden Figures
Hidden Figures is based on a true story of three African American women who made very important contributions to NASA during the ’50s and ’60s that helped launch a space flight program.
Ruby Bridges
Ruby Bridges is a movie about pride and courage and is great to watch with the whole family. This Disney movie is based on a true story about a 6-year-old girl named Ruby who was chosen to be the 1st African American girl to be integrated into an all-white school in 1960s New Orleans. Ruby faces racism but she shows bravery by continuing to go to school to get a better education.
Remember the Titans
This inspirational movie tells the true story of a newly integrated high school football team in Alexandria, Virginia. The film shows racial tensions and segregation in the town. The team must learn how to get along and work and play together as a team.
42
42 is the story about Jackie Robinson. The first African American Major League Baseball player in the 20th century. In the movie, you will see how he broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball
Selma
Selma is a historical drama taking place in 1965 when black people were still fighting for the right to vote. Despite opposition, Dr. Martin Luther King, Hosea Williams and John Lewis led voter marches directed by James Bevel. It focuses on the march from Selma to Montgomery and their efforts in having President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Pride
Pride is an inspirational sports movie that tells the story of the only African American swim team in 1960’s North Carolina. It shows how the African American team dealt with racism head-on. This is a great movie for middle school and high school students.
Harriet
Harriet follows the story of a girl from an enslaved family who was promised freedom that she and her family never get. Therefore, Harriet decides to escape, a plan that will change the course of history and transform her into one of America’s greatest heroes.
BOOKS
BOOKS FOR KIDS
Black History is Our History is a shortlist of books for young readers created by the staff at Cincinnati Public Library
BOOKS FOR TEENS
Celebrate Black History Month is a shortlist of books for teens created by the staff at Cincinnati Public Library
Black History is Our History is a shortlist of books for young readers created by the staff at Cincinnati Public Library
BOOKS FOR TEENS
Celebrate Black History Month is a shortlist of books for teens created by the staff at Cincinnati Public Library
